Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Owning a home in Chicago has many great benefits, but there are some negatives. The weather throughout the four seasons can cause problems in a home and lead to wear and tear on systems like your HVAC. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the many options out there. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty companies in Chicago.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for Chicago residents. Liberty has around 6 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard full review. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for Chicago residents. Choice has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for Chicago residents. Select has around 11 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for Chicago residents. AHS has around 26 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield full review. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Chicago residents. Cinch has around 44 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services full review. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for Chicago residents. HSC has around 15 years of experience in the home warranty market and in that time has built a a skilled network of service professionals nationwide. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so be sure to check with the provider. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club full review. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $6,293 |
| Heating | $4,195 |
| Electrical | $629 |
| Toilets | $524 |
| Washer/Dryer | $839 |
| Plumbing | $629 |
| Oven | $1,678 |
| Fridge | $629 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Chicago homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, washers, and more. Included systems are normally heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Chicago homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for electrical, AC, heating, plumbing, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include extra things such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Chicago and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Chicago can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner when you sell your home.
There are also some downsides to getting a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Also, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Chicago. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Chicago.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different home warranties in Chicago include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Chicago, where the median home value is $287,709, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
